Trending Now - Bears Center Drew Dalman to Retire Amid Team's Strategic Shift

WHO:

Drew Dalman, center for the Chicago Bears

Ryan Poles, general manager of the Chicago Bears

Caleb Williams, quarterback for the Chicago Bears

Joe Thuney, guard for the Chicago Bears

Jonah Jackson, guard for the Chicago Bears

Ozzy Trapilo, left tackle for the Chicago Bears

Tremaine Edmunds, linebacker for the Chicago Bears

Chris Dalman, Drew Dalman's father, former NFL player

WHAT:

Drew Dalman informed the Chicago Bears of his retirement from the NFL at the age of 27.

Dalman played five seasons in the NFL, with four seasons for the Atlanta Falcons (2021-2024) and one season for the Chicago Bears (2025).

He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Dalman signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Chicago Bears in 2025.

He started all 17 games for the Bears in 2025 and played all 1,154 offensive snaps.

Dalman was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2025 after allowing just one sack during the season.

The Bears won the NFC North title in 2025 and made their first playoff appearance in 15 seasons.

The Bears' offensive line ranked No. 1 in the league in pass block win-rate (74%) and No. 5 in run block win-rate (74%) in 2025.

Caleb Williams was sacked 68 times in 2024 and only 24 times in 2025.

Dalman's retirement will create a cap hit of $4 million for the Bears in 2026.

WHERE:

Chicago, Illinois (home of the Chicago Bears)

Flowery Branch, Georgia (home of the Atlanta Falcons)

San Francisco, California (location of the Pro Bowl Games)

WHEN:

Dalman announced his retirement on March 3, 2026.

He was drafted in 2021 and played through the 2025 season.

The Bears' free agency period begins on March 11, 2026.

WHY:

The reasons for Dalman's retirement were not specified in the articles.

HOW:

Dalman informed the Chicago Bears of his decision to retire through sources, as reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The Bears had restructured their offensive line by signing Dalman and trading for Thuney and Jackson prior to the 2025 season.

Drew Dalman, center for the Chicago Bears, announced his retirement from the NFL on March 3, 2026, at the age of 27 after a five-season career that included one year with the Bears and four with the Atlanta Falcons. In 2025, Dalman started all 17 games for Chicago, helping the team secure the NFC North title and earning a Pro Bowl selection while allowing just one sack throughout the season. His retirement will create a $4 million cap hit for the Bears as they prepare for the upcoming free agency period starting on March 11.